Would you walk out if you were asked any of these 23 interview questions?
When it comes to interview questions it’s important to be able to respond in a way that makes you memorable and gives a good impression. The problem with most interviews is you just simply don’t know what questions are going to crop up. Below we look at some of the most common interview questions that everyone struggles to answer and some that none of us will want to crop up.
10 Intense interview questions we all want to avoid
Here are 10 questions that can often catch interviewees unawares and leave you open-mouthed with nothing to stay.
1. If you were given a box of 10 pencils can you list 10 things that you could do with them that are not their traditional use?
A question like this is asking you to use your imagination and think outside the box. Whilst we are not going to give you 10, here are a few examples that could be used:
• Lend them to others and never see them again!
• Use them for teaching a child to count.
• Test your strength by breaking them.
• Try balancing them on your nose.
2. Why are manhole covers round?
Made famous by Microsoft for their interviews, this question is designed to get you thinking and aims to find those who can get things done. While there is no one answer for this question, here’s a few options to consider:
• A round manhole cover is easily moved and rolled.
• It’s easier to dig a round hole.
3. How many times a day does a clocks hands overlap?
Most people might assume the answer is 24, but take two from this and you won’t go wrong!
4. If you woke up and had 2000 emails and were only allowed to answer 300 of them, how would you choose which ones to answer?
Three approaches to consider here are:
• Answer the first 300 according to time
• Answer the first 300 according to file size
• Answer 300 based on name and work from newest to oldest
5. Name three things you could not do without on a deserted island?
Only you can answer this, but try to share some of your personality and interests. Do remember though that this is a deserted island so be practical.
6. If ads were removed from YouTube how would you monetise it?
This question is testing your commercial acumen. With ads being such an import revenue stream for YouTube, be creative in suggesting other ways for them to create revenue. Pay to view or a membership based subscription could be two things to consider.
7. What would you do if you didn’t have to work?
There are many answers to this question but they all depend on the individual. You may want to travel, spend more time with family and friends or even some charity work. Whatever your answer, time to explain why it is right for you.
8. Can you describe yourself in 3 words?
Don’t give them the answers that you think they want to hear. Remember this question will be asked to others in the recruitment process so try to stand out by describing how unique you are in three words.
9. What celebrity are you most like?
This again is an opportunity to show your personality. When naming a celebrity or sports star, explain why you have chosen them and what you admire most about them. If you’re going to say Donald Trump or a Kardashian, you better have good reason!
10. Here’s a problem, how many ways can you think of solving it in 3 minutes?
Chances are you won’t be the first or last to be asked this in the interview process, so try to make sure you think quick. This question tests your ability to think creatively on the spot. Take time to think about the problem you are asked and give your idea with some rational thinking. No idea will be wrong here, your interviewer is just looking for an insight into your ability to think logically and creatively.
13 Common interview questions we all want to avoid
Here are 13 common questions you could face but don’t really want to answer during an interview. As before, best be prepared for whatever comes your way.
11. Why are you leaving your current job?
This is a tough question to answer but one that you will no doubt be asked in an interview. We suggest keeping things positive and not being overly negative about your current employers. If you think you have reached your potential say why and show that you are keen to take on a new challenge.
12. What is your greatest weakness?
The key to answering this question is looking for something that you do struggle with but you have actively taken steps to improve. For example, public speaking could be a weakness, but you have recently taken steps to improve this by volunteering at a local club to get more comfortable speaking in front of others.
13. How do you handle stress or pressure on the job?
When answering this question explain the situations where you have thrived under pressure and achieved results. This could be in a meeting, a deadline for a university assignment or how you managed your own time independently in your current role to ensure the completion of multiple projects on time.
14. How best would you describe your management style?
If you are applying for a management role, you will likely be questioned about your management style. You want to show that you are aware that every team is made up of a variety of characters and you have the flexibility and strength of character to manage each individual to ensure successful completion of team goals. Provide examples where you can.
15. How do you deal with criticism?
With criticism, it’s important to explain what it was in relation to and if it helped you improve. For some people criticism can be hard to take, especially if it’s not constructive, so just remember to highlight how you deal with such conflict or how you would should it arise.
16. Give an example of a time when you disagreed with a decision that was made at work?
Everyone at some point in time has disagreed with a decision their boss or a colleague has made. In asking this question potential employers want to know how you dealt with it in a productive and professional way that did not lead to the dysfunction within the team.
17. What are your future career goals?
When answering this question, it’s important to show you have aspirations to grow and develop, so consider having a minimum of a one-year, three-year and five-year goals for this question.
18. Do you consider yourself a team player?
Give examples of where you have worked successfully as a team and succeeded in achieving set objectives. This can be part of a university project, a team sporting achievement or work related. Work examples are good, but try to throw some social examples be it your sports club or volunteering.
19. What would your first 30 days look like in this role?
Start by explaining what information you will need to get up to speed right away and then focus on an area where you think you can make a meaningful contribution from the get go. This will test you on the research you have done on both the company and the industry, so be sure to have something in mind as an answer here.
20. Can you explain why you have changed career paths?
This interview question may not apply to everyone but if it does it is important to explain the career decisions that you have made that have led to this change in direction. Focus on the skills you have and how they are transferrable to the new job role.
21. How do you think your industry will change in the next 10 years?
This is an opportunity to show that you know your industry and understand the challenges or opportunities it faces in the coming years so be sure to do your research before going to your interview.
22. Name a time when you screwed up?
This is a way to find out what sort of worker you are. Someone who takes ownership for a mistake they have made but outlines how they corrected it, is someone that you can be trusted and hard-working. If you talk about a time something bad happened and it was someone else’s fault but you got the blame, this raises a red flag. Workers screw up, these things happen.
23. Do you have any questions for us?
Almost every interview will finish with this question so be prepared to have something in mind, and if the question has already cropped up during the interview, elaborate on it in more detail. Questions to consider here would be:
a. Do they value continued professional development and is there an opportunity to grow and develop at the company.
b. Is there an opportunity to get involved with their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) projects if they have any?
c. Focus on the company’s future growth projections: what can you tell me about your new products or plans for growth?
d. Ask about their five-year plan, this highlights that you are thinking long-term about the role but also gives you a feel for whether or not this is a good fit for you.
These questions can give you a bit of an insight into the minds of an interview panel, but in truth, interviews vary from industry to industry, and with hundreds of potential questions, it’s important to go in prepared and confident (no matter how daunting it may be).
If you are ever faced with questions like these, we would advise taking your time, thinking through the scenario you have been presented with and provide a rational answer.
Interviews can be stressful time but the more you do throughout your career the better you will perform in answering these questions.
What are your favourite interview questions?
Have you any interview questions that we should add to the list? Let us know by sharing your favourites with us on Facebook and Twitter, or by leaving a comment below.
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